Remote display of objects and cursor movement in a conferencing system

ABSTRACT

An improved method and apparatus for remotely displaying cursor and tool operation in a conferencing system can be used for manipulating a remote cursor in a computer conferencing system, the computer conferencing system including a first participant coupled to a second participant via a communication medium. This process comprises the steps of: 1) selecting a remote cursor tool using the first participant&#39;s system, the remote cursor tool being a computer implemented function represented by an icon; 2) displaying the icon representing the remote cursor tool with an associated shadow only on the first participant&#39;s display and only while the tool is selected; 3) activating the remote cursor tool; and 4) displaying the icon representing the remote cursor tool without an associated shadow on both the first and the second participant&#39;s display only while the tool is active, the icon being displayed on a second display in a position corresponding to a position of the icon on a first display. The present invention also includes a process and an apparatus for implementing selected tool shadowing. This process comprises the steps of: 1) selecting a tool; 2) displaying the icon representing the tool with an associated shadow only while the tool is selected; 3) activating the tool to perform a function; and 3) re-displaying the icon representing the tool without an associated shadow only while the tool is active.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/130,120, filed Sep.30, 1993, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of networked computersystems. Specifically, the present invention relates to the field ofdisplaying objects and cursor movements among a plurality of networkedusers.

2. Description of Related Art

A set of personal computers interconnected on a network can beeffectively used as a conferencing system. In such a system, eachconference participant comprises a personal computer user having acomputer, a display screen, a computer network interface, and typicallya mouse or cursor movement device. Conference participants are linkedtogether over a computer network or other data communications medium.This network may comprise either a hard wired local area network (LAN)such as Ethernet, a telephone modem link, or other conventional datacommunications network. Because the conference participants are linkedvia a computer network, the participants do not need to be located inthe same physical space. Rather, an effective conference may be carriedout as participants view common information over their display screensand manipulate the information using their cursor devices or other inputdevices.

Several problems with these conferencing systems exist in the prior art.Conventional conference participants typically have a cursor movementdevice, such as a mouse or trackball device, connected to their system.This cursor movement device provides a means for moving a visible cursorsymbol around on the user's computer display screen. In this manner, auser may manipulate a local cursor symbol. It is also advantageous for aconference participant to manipulate a cursor or pointing symbol on thedisplay screen of other conference participants. In this manner, a firstconference participant can manipulate a remote cursor symbol on thedisplay screen of a second conference participant using the cursormovement device of the first conference participant's computer system. Aremote cursor can be effectively used as a conference pointingmechanism. In other situations, various conventional drawing tools ortextual input tools provided by a personal computer can be used by afirst conference participant and displayed to all of the conferenceparticipants. Prior art systems, however, do not provide an effectivemeans for displaying to a local user when the actions of a cursor orselected tool are either visible or not visible to other conferenceparticipants. Although some conventional systems provide a means forturning on or turning off the remote display of cursor movement, thesesystems do not have an effective means for displaying this selection toa local user. Moreover, it is cumbersome to require a user to select alocal or remote display mode prior to the initiation of any action in aconferencing environment.

Thus, a better means for providing feedback of remote cursor movementand tool operation in a conferencing system is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus and method for providing feedbackto a local user of remote cursor movement or tool operation in aconferencing system. In a computer conferencing system including a firstparticipant coupled to a second participant via a communication medium,the first participant having a first display, a first cursor controldevice, and a first signal generation device, the second participanthaving a second display, a second cursor control device, and a secondsignal generation device, a process and apparatus is disclosed formanipulating a remote cursor. This process comprises the steps of: 1)selecting a remote cursor tool using the first cursor control device andthe first signal generation device, the remote cursor tool being acomputer implemented function represented by an icon; 2) displaying theicon representing the remote cursor tool with an associated shadow onlyon the first display and only while the tool is selected; 3) activatingthe remote cursor tool using the first cursor control device and thefirst signal generation device; and 4) displaying the icon representingthe remote cursor tool without an associated shadow on both the firstdisplay and the second display and only while the tool is active, theicon being displayed on the second display in a position correspondingto a position of the icon on the first display. The present inventionalso includes a process and an apparatus for implementing selected toolshadowing. This process comprises the steps of: 1) selecting a tool, thetool being a computer implemented function represented by an icon; 2)displaying the icon representing the tool with an associated shadow onlywhile the tool is selected; 3) activating the tool to perform thefunction; and 3) re-displaying the icon representing the tool without anassociated shadow only while the tool is active.

It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a meansand method for displaying remote cursor movement or tool operation in acomputer conferencing system. It is a further advantage of the presentinvention to provide a visual indication that cursor movement or tooloperation is or is not visible to remote conference participants. It isa further advantage of the present invention to provide a means fordisplaying a drawing tool or text input tool in a manner that indicateswhether the tool is or is not actively drawing on a remote conferenceparticipants display screen. It is a further advantage of the presentinvention that both a public and private workspace are provided.

These and other advantages of the present invention are fully describedin the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the computer system hardware usedin the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical screen display provided in a conventionalcomputer system.

FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional computer system network having threeindependent computer systems interconnected on a communication medium.

FIG. 4 illustrates the screen display provided by the preferredembodiment of the present invention. This screen display illustrates thepublic and private workspaces of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a screen display with a tool selected and displayedin the public workspace.

FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate a typical drawing tool as displayed when themouse button is not activated.

FIGS. 6c and 6d illustrate a typical drawing tool when the mouse buttonis activated (i.e. depressed).

FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate a remote cursor symbol as displayed when themouse button is not activated.

FIGS. 7c and 7d illustrate a remote cursor when the mouse button isactivated.

FIG. 8 illustrates a set of three networked computer users in aconferencing situation. One of the conference participants isillustrated as having selected a drawing tool on its local displayscreen.

FIG. 9 illustrates a conferencing system where a conference participantis using a drawing tool in its public workspace. As illustrated, thedrawing actions in the public workspace are visible to all conferenceparticipants.

FIG. 10 illustrates a conferencing system wherein a previously selecteddrawing tool is deactivated as a user releases the mouse button.

FIG. 11 illustrates a conferencing system wherein a drawing tool is usedin the private workspace. As illustrated, other conference participantsdo not see the drawing actions in the private workspace.

FIG. 12 illustrates a conferencing system wherein a remote cursor toolis selected.

FIG. 13 illustrates a conferencing system wherein a remote cursor toolis selected and activated using the mouse button.

FIG. 14 illustrates a conferencing system wherein each conferenceparticipant selects a tool in either the public workspace or the privateworkspace.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are flowcharts illustrating the processing logic of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is an apparatus and method for improving thedisplay of tool operation and cursor movement in a conferencing system.In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the presentinvention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart that these specific details need not be used to practice the presentinvention. In other instances, well known structures, interfaces, andprocesses have not been shown in detail in order not to obscureunnecessarily the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of the computer system hardwareused in the preferred embodiment is illustrated. The computer systemused in the preferred embodiment comprises a Bus 100 for communicatinginformation between computer system components. These components coupledto Bus 100 include Processor 101. In the preferred embodiment, Processor101 is an i486 brand microprocessor manufactured by Intel Corporation,Santa Clara, Calif. i486 is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.Other system components include Random Access Memory (RAM) 102, ReadOnly Memory (ROM) 103, and mass storage device or disk drive 104. Thecomputer system of the preferred embodiment also includes display device105 coupled to the Bus 100 for displaying information to a computeruser, an alphanumeric input device 106 coupled to the Bus 100 forcommunicating information and command selections to the Processor 101, apointing device or cursor control device 107 coupled to the Bus 100 forcommunicating information and command selections to Processor 101, and asignal generation device 112 coupled to the Bus 100 for communicatingcommand selections to the Processor 101. Display device 105 may be aliquid crystal device, cathode ray tube, or other suitable displaydevice. Alphanumeric input device 106 is typically an alphanumeric orfunction key keyboard. Pointing device or cursor control device 107 istypically a mouse or trackball device allowing the computer user todynamically signal the two dimensional movement of a visible symbol(i.e. cursor) on the display screen of display device 105. Manyimplementations of the cursor control device 107 are well known in theart, including trackball, mouse, joystick, or special keys on thealphanumeric input device 106 capable of signaling movement in a givendirection. Signal generation device 112 is typically implemented as abutton or switch located on or near the cursor control device 107. Thephysical proximity of cursor control device 107 and signal generationdevice 112 allows a user to manipulate both devices simultaneously withone hand. The signal generation device may be operated between twocontrol states: an active control state typically initiated bydepression of a mouse button, and an inactive control state typicallyinitiated by releasing the mouse button.

The computer system used in the preferred embodiment also includes acommunication interface 108. Communication interface 108 is coupled tocommunication medium 110. Communication interface 108 provides a meansfor the computer system to communicate with a network of other computersystems. A variety of other networks are well known in the art. Thesecommunication media 110 include well known Local Area Networks (LAN)such as Ethernet, Wide Area Networks (WAN), telephone modem links, orother well known and conventional computer networking technology. Theconfiguration and interconnection of computer system components asillustrated in FIG. 1 is well known to those of ordinary skill in theart.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a screen display 210 on a conventional computersystem is illustrated. In addition, a cursor control device 207 (i.e.mouse) and signal generation device 209 (mouse button) is illustrated.Conventional screen display 210 comprises a displayed set or menu offunction or command selections 214 displayed across the top of thedisplay screen. In addition, tool selections 222 are displayed along aleft hand edge of the display screen. Vertical scroll bar 216 andhorizontal scroll bar 218 is also provided. A status line 220 provides adisplay region for various system status messages. This typical screendisplay 210 and corresponding user interface functionality is availablein the prior art from various sources including the Windows operatingsystem developed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., or variousoperating systems and applications running on the Apple Macintosh brandcomputer systems manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino,Calif. Microsoft is a trademark of Microsoft, Inc. Apple and Macintoshare trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

Screen display 210 includes an application workspace 212 in which a usermay draw images or type text using one of tools 222. In addition, acursor symbol 224 is displayed and responsive to the movement to cursorcontrol device 207. Cursor 224 provides a means for pointing to variousregions on display screen 210. Again, the use of cursor symbol 224 iswell known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a conventional computer network or conferencingsystem is illustrated. This sample conferencing system includes threecomputer systems, 301, 302 and 303, all coupled via communication medium316. As described earlier, these computer systems, 301, 302 and 303, andthe communication medium 316 over which they communicate are well knownto those of ordinary skill in the art. Conventional computer system 301includes a screen display 310, cursor control device 350, and mousebutton 352. Cursor control device 350 is used to manipulate cursorsymbol 330 on display 310. Because cursor 330 of display 310 ismanipulated using cursor control device 350 of the same computer system301, cursor 330 is called the local cursor of computer system 301. Anyarbitrary object 332 may be displayed on display screen 310. Similarly,computer system 302 comprises display screen 312, cursor control device354, and signal generation device 356. Local cursor 334 of displayscreen 312 is controlled by cursor control device 354. Computer system303 comprises display screen 314, cursor control device 358, and signalgeneration device 360. Local cursor 338 of the display screen 314 iscontrolled via cursor control device 358.

Prior art networking systems provide means for transferring objects fromone computer system to another across communication medium 316. Forexample, object 332 displayed on display 310 may be transferred viainterface 318 across communication medium 316 to computer system 302and/or computer system 303. In this manner, object 332 may be displayedon display 312 as object 336 and/or displayed on display 314 as object340. Thus, information may be shared among computer systems 301, 302,and 303. Typically, cursors 330, 334, and 338 act as local cursors tothe computer systems on which they are displayed.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a screen display 410 provided in the preferredembodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Screen display 410includes prior art elements such as the function or command menu 414,the tool palette 422, the vertical scroll bar 416, the horizontal scrollbar 418, and optional status line 420. The preferred embodiment alsouses cursor control device 407 and signal generation device or mousebutton 409. In a unique diversion from the prior art, the presentinvention bisects the application workspace into application publicworkspace 412 and application private workspace 413 separated by line415. Application public workspace 412 defines a region of display 410that is visible to other conference participants on a network, such asthe one illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. A user of computer system 405can select tools from tool palette 422 and draw or type annotations orobjects within application public workspace 412. Any annotations orobjects drawn in this region are transmitted across the conferencingnetwork as data messages. In this manner, annotations or objects drawnon a first conference participant display are visible to otherconference participants on the network. Scroll bars 416 and 418 may beused in a conventional manner to select in two dimensions the portion ofapplication public workspace 412 visible within display 410. The border415 between application public workspace 412 and application privateworkspace 413 may be vertically moved using cursor control device 407and signal generation device 409 in order to selectively modify the sizeof public workspace 412 and private workspace 413. In the preferredembodiment, local cursor 424 is positioned using cursor control device407 over border line 415. Signal generation device 409 may then beactivated to initiate movement of border 415. With signal generationdevice 409 activated (i.e. depressed), cursor 424 is moved verticallyusing cursor control device 407. As this movement occurs with signalgeneration device 409 activated, border 415 is moved vertically withcursor 424 until signal generation device 409 is deactivated. At thispoint, border 415 is left at the cursor position where signal generationdevice 409 was deactivated. Border 415 may be moved across the entirevertical range of the application workspace within display 410.Application private workspace 413 comprises a region of display 410wherein objects or annotations created are not transmitted to otherconference participants. Annotations and objects created in applicationprivate workspace 413 using tools of tool palette 422 are only visibleon the local display 410 of the computer system 405 on which the privateannotations or objects were created. Thus, by locating cursor 424 ineither the public workspace 412 or private workspace 413, a user canquickly determine if objects or annotations created will be visible toother conference participants.

Referring still to FIG. 4, a standard cursor tool 425 of tool palette422 has been selected. The corresponding cursor 424 is displayed ondisplay screen 410. The selection and display of this type of standardcursor is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. As providedin the preferred embodiment of the present invention, tool palette 422includes a remote cursor tool 426. The remote cursor tool 426 provides ameans for remotely displaying a pointing symbol on the display screen ofother conference participants. The characteristics and operation ofremote cursor 426 are described in detail below in connection with FIGS.7a through 7d, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14. It will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art that any of tools 422 may be selectedand used in either application public workspace 412 or applicationprivate workspace 413.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a unique visual feedback mechanism of thepreferred embodiment is illustrated. In this example of the presentinvention, a drawing tool 427 has been selected from palette 422. As aresult, the cursor symbol changes to a representation 429 of theselected tool. As a unique improvement to the visual display of theselected tool, a tool shadow is displayed along with the selected toolrepresentation 429. In order to highlight the display of selected toolrepresentation 429, the area 431 of application public workspace 412 ishighlighted in FIGS. 6a and 6c.

Referring now to FIG. 6a, a cursor symbol 616 is shown as a selectedtool representation 618 with a shadow 620. Conventional techniques existfor displaying a shadow which corresponds to a displayed object. In thepresent invention, shadow 620 supports the intuitive paradigm thatselected tool 618 is suspended above the surface of the applicationworkspace. This paradigm corresponds to a manual writing implement (i.e.pen or pencil) suspended above a writing surface prior to use. Asintuitively clear, a writing implement so suspended cannot make marks onthe writing surface. Similarly, selected tool cursor 618 indicates to auser that a selected tool is not yet activated for writing on theapplication workspace. The selected tool is not activated yet asindicated by the signal generation device or mouse button 622 depictedin FIG. 6b. As illustrated in FIG. 6b, mouse button 622 is in a releasedand deactivated position.

Referring now to FIG. 6c, selected tool cursor 636 is illustrated aftermouse button 638 illustrated in FIG. 6d has been activated (i.e.depressed). In this situation, the shadow 620 of selected tool cursor636 has disappeared. The removal of shadow 620 supports the intuitiveparadigm that selected tool 636 has been lowered onto a writing surfaceand is now in a position to make marks on the application workspace.Indeed, this is the case in the operation of the present invention. Withmouse button 638 activated (i.e. depressed), the selected tool 636 isactivated to create a drawing annotation on the application workspace asthe cursor control device 407 is moved. Thus, the selected toolshadowing mechanism used in the present invention provides an effectivevisual feedback of a tool that is either deactivated or activated fordrawing on an application workspace.

The real benefit of the selected tool shadowing of the present inventionis apparent in a networked or conferenced computer environment. In thissituation, drawing tools used on a first conference participant'scomputer system may be displayed on other conference participantsdisplay screens. Without selected tool shadowing, it is not always clearwhen a selected tool may be making marks or creating objects on a remoteparticipant's computer display screen. This is particularly important inthe use of a remote cursor or remote pointing tool such as tool 426illustrated in FIG. 4. Remote cursor tool 426 provides a means for afirst networked computer user or local user to activate and display apointing symbol on a different networked computer user's display screen(i.e. a remote user). In this manner, one conference participant maypoint to a shared portion of a display screen to assist a remoteconference participant.

The selected tool shadowing feature of the present invention is alsoused with a remote cursor such as remote cursor 426. Referring now toFIGS. 7a through 7d, the selected tool shadowing of the remote cursortool is illustrated. In FIG. 7a, selected tool representation 716 isshown as comprising a remote cursor symbol 718 with its correspondingshadow 720. Shadow 720 is displayed as long as the signal generationdevice or mouse button 722 illustrated in FIG. 7b is in the released ordeactivated position. While signal generation device 722 is deactivated,the position of remote cursor 718 on a local user's display screen isnot transmitted to other conference participants across a computernetwork. In this situation, the shadow 720 indicates that the remotecursor symbol is not visible to remote conference participants.

Once signal generation device 738 is depressed or activated asillustrated in FIG. 7d, shadow 720 of cursor symbol 736 is removed. Theremoval of shadow 720 provides a visual indication to a local computeruser that the position of the remote cursor is now visible to otherremote conference participants. The depression or activation of signalgeneration device 738 initiates the transfer of cursor movement messagesacross the network to other remote conference participants. In thismanner, remote conference participants receive remote cursor positioninformation and may display this information on their display screens asa remote cursor symbol. The transmission of remote cursor positioninformation and the display of the remote cursor 736 on the displayscreens of other conference participants continues as long as signalgeneration device 738 is active. Thus, selected tool shadowing of aremote cursor tool provides a visual indication to a local user that aremote cursor symbol is or is not visible to other conferenceparticipants.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 through 14, various examples of the presentinvention are illustrated as used in a conferencing environment.Referring now to FIG. 8, three conference participants, 801, 802, and803, are illustrated as coupled via communication medium 816. Eachconference participant comprises a display, a cursor control device, anda signal generation device or mouse button. In the example illustratedin FIG. 8, conference participant 801 has selected a drawing tool 850from the tool palette. As a result, selected tool 840 with acorresponding shadow is illustrated on display 810. The shadow ofselected tool representation 840 is displayed because the signalgeneration device 862 is deactivated as indicated by the graphicdepiction 842. Note that as long as the signal generation device ofsystem 801 is deactivated, no symbol corresponding to selected toolrepresentation 840 appears on the display screen 812 and 814 of otherconference participants 802 and 803. Conference participant 802 is freeto move its local cursor 844 using cursor control device 864independently of the movement of selected tool representation 840 usingcursor control device 860. Similarly, conference participant 803 is freeto move its local cursor 846 using cursor control device 868independently of either conference participants 801 or 802.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a sample conferencing system illustrates theuse of a tool in the public workspace area 412 of computer system 801.In a manner similar to the example shown in FIG. 8, a drawing tool hasbeen selected on computer system 801. After having selected the drawingtool, the user of system 801 moves cursor 910 into public workspace 412.Next, the user depresses the signal generation device or mouse button862 as indicated by graphic depiction 914. The user then manipulatescursor control device 860 to move cursor 910 to its position as shown inFIG. 9. As a result, line 912 is drawn between the initial cursorposition at the time signal generation device 862 was activated and thecurrent position of cursor 910. As shown by the difference between theselected tool representation 840 illustrated in FIG. 8 and the selectedtool representation 910 illustrated in FIG. 9, the shadow correspondingto selected tool representation 910 has been removed as the signalgeneration device 862 has been activated. Thus, the shadow on cursor 910is not visible as the selected tool actively draws an annotation orobject in public workspace 412.

Because the selected drawing tool as represented by cursor symbol 910has been manipulated within public workspace 412 in the example of FIG.9, the operation of tool 910 is transferred to other conferenceparticipants as data messages across communication medium 816 asindicated by the dashed lines 916 illustrated in FIG. 9. Strictlybecause of the operation of tool 910 within public workspace 412,computer system 801, and the processing logic of the present inventiontherein, generates data messages defining the representation of tool 910and the annotation or objects 912 created by tool 910. These messagesare then transferred to each conference participant via communicationmedium 816. As a result, selected tool representation 918 and annotation920 appears within the public workspace of computer system 802.Similarly, selected tool representation 922 and annotation 924 appear inthe public workspace of computer system 803. Other conferenceparticipants (not shown) will receive a similar set of information.Thus, it can be seen from the example of FIG. 9 that the presentinvention does not require a previously specified or configured mode ofoperation to enable the remote display of objects or annotations in aconferencing environment. By simply positioning the cursor within thepublic workspace, the user implicitly enables the transfer ofsubsequently drawn annotations or objects to all other conferenceparticipants on the network. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, theuser of computer system 801 may continue drawing within public workspace412 as long as signal generation device or mouse button 862 is activated(i.e. depressed). As long as mouse button 862 is depressed, annotationsand objects will continue to be updated on the display screen of otherremote conference participants and the selected tool representation willalso continue to be displayed on the display screen of the remoteconference participants.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an example illustrates the state of theconferencing system of the example of FIG. 9 after the user of computersystem 801 releases or deactivates mouse button 862 as indicated bygraphic depiction 1012. As mouse button 862 is released, selected toolrepresentation 1010 is again displayed with its corresponding shadow.The active operation of selected tool 1010 is no longer enabled. Forthat reason, the drawing of annotation 912 is terminated. Also as aresult of the deactivation of mouse button 862, the transfer of selectedtool annotation messages and cursor movement messages are discontinuedacross communication medium 816. Because remote conference participants802 and 803 no longer receive cursor movement messages, the selectedtool representation 918 illustrated for system 802 in FIG. 9 is removedfrom the display 812 illustrated in FIG. 10 after signal generationdevice 862 deactivation. The annotation created by selected tool 1010;however, is still displayed as annotation 920 illustrated in FIG. 10.Similarly, the selected tool representation 922 illustrated in FIG. 9 isremoved from the display 814 illustrated in FIG. 10 upon deactivation ofsignal generation device 862. The corresponding annotation 924, howeveris still displayed on computer system 803 display 814. Thus, the user ofcomputer system 801 is now free to move cursor 1010 around display 810without any corresponding representation appearing on the display of theremote conference participants.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an example illustrates the operation of aselected tool within private workspace 859. As illustrated in FIG. 11, adrawing tool has been selected and the cursor 1110 has been moved intothe private workspace 859. As indicated by graphic depiction 1114, thesignal generation device 862 has been activated. Annotation 1112 hasbeen drawn within private workspace 859. Note that no correspondingannotation appears on display 812 of computer system 802 nor display 814of computer system 803. Because the cursor 1110 is located within theconfines of private workspace 859, the processing logic of the presentinvention disables the transfer of annotation or cursor movementmessages across communication medium 816. It is advantageous in thepresent invention that no preconfigured or preselected mode is requiredto specify the private display of annotation 1112. By simply drawingwithin the private workspace 859 region, the user of system 801 is ableto inhibit the public display of annotations or objects created locally.

Referring to now to FIG. 12, an example illustrates the operation of theremote cursor or remote pointing tool of the present invention. Theremote cursor is provided as a tool 1214 of the tool palette of computersystem 801 as illustrated in FIG. 12. As illustrated in display 810,remote cursor tool 1214 has been selected and a corresponding selectedtool cursor representation 1210 is displayed on display 810. Usingcursor control device 860, this cursor representation 1210 may be movedabout display 810. Note that the cursor representation 1210 appears indisplay 810 with a corresponding shadow indicating that remote cursor1210 is not yet visible to other conference participants. This is trueas no remote cursor symbol is displayed on display 812 or display 814 asillustrated in FIG. 12. Cursor symbol 1210 will continue to be shadowedand public display of the remote cursor will be disabled as long assignal generation device 862 is deactivated as indicated by graphicdepiction 1212. FIG. 13 illustrates the result of the activation ofsignal generation device 862 as illustrated by graphic depiction 1312.Note that remote cursor symbol 1310 illustrated in display 810 is nolonger displayed with its corresponding shadow. The removal of theshadow of cursor symbol 1310 indicates to the user of system 801 thatthe remote cursor symbol is being remotely displayed on the displayscreens of other conference participants. As indicated in FIG. 13, theactivation of signal generation device 862 causes cursor movementmessages to be generated by system 801 and transferred acrosscommunication medium 816 to other conference participants as indicatedby dashed line 1314 illustrated in FIG. 13. As a result of the transferof these cursor movement messages, remote cursor symbol 1316 appears ondisplay 812 and remote cursor symbol 1318 appears on display 814. Remoteparticipant 802 still has control over its local cursor 844 using cursorcontrol device 864. Similarly, system 803 has control over its localcursor 846 using cursor control device 868. Remote cursor symbols 1316and 1318, however move around display 812 and display 814, respectively,in a manner corresponding to the movement of cursor control device 860of computer system 801, as long as the signal generation device 862 isactive. In this manner, the user of system 801 can use a remote cursorto point to various locations within the public workspace of otherconference participants. In the preferred embodiment, the remote cursortool only provides the display of a remote cursor symbol on the displayof other conference participants if the remote cursor tool is usedwithin the public workspace of a local system.

Referring now to FIG. 14, an example of a conferencing systemillustrates the use of the features of the present invention by any oneof the conference participants. For example, the user of system 801 hasselected a remote cursor tool 1410 as the cursor 1412 was located in thepublic workspace of system 801. Because signal generation device 862 hasbeen activated as indicated by graphic depiction 1413, cursor movementmessages are transferred to other conference participants as indicatedby dashed line 1415. As a result, remote cursor symbol 1414 appears indisplay 812 and remote cursor symbol 1416 appears in display 814.

The user of system 802 has selected a drawing tool 1416 and positioned acursor within the public workspace of system 802. Signal generationdevice 866 has been activated as indicated by graphic depiction 1419. Asa result, the shadow of selected tool 1418 has been removed and anannotation 1420 is drawn as the cursor control device 864 is moved bythe user of system 802. Because the annotation 1420 is being drawnwithin the public workspace of system 802, the cursor movement messagesand annotation messages are transferred from system 802 acrosscommunication medium 816 to other conference participants as indicatedby dashed line 1430. As a result, the graphic annotation 1424 appears indisplay 810 and the remote cursor symbol 1422 also appears in display810 as long as signal generation device 866 of system 802 is active.Similarly, annotation 1428 and remote cursor symbol 1426 appear indisplay 814 on system 803.

The user of system 803 has selected a drawing tool 1434 and positionedthe cursor within the private workspace of display 814. Signalgeneration device 870 has been activated as depicted by graphicrepresentation 1440. As a result of moving cursor control device 868,graphic annotation 1438 has been drawn in the private workspace.Similarly, the selected tool cursor 1436 is shown in display 814.Because the operation of selected tool 1434 is taking place within theprivate workspace of display 814, no data messages are sent by system803 on communication medium 816 to other conference participants. Thus,no remote display of annotation 1,438 or selected tool cursor 1436appears on the display screen of other conference participants.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, flowcharts illustrate the processinglogic of the present invention. The processing logic of the preferredembodiment is operably disposed within random access memory 102 andexecuted by processor 101 of the computer system described in referenceto FIG. 1. The processing logic of the present invention mayequivalently be disposed in read only memory 103 or other memory meansaccessible to processor 101 for execution. This processing logic can bea separately compiled or loaded entity or incorporated as a part of alarger operating system or application software package. In either case,a means for activating the processing logic of the present invention maybe employed using techniques well known to those of ordinary skill inthe art. Once activated, the processing logic of the present inventionoperates in the manner described below.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the cursor feedback processing 1510 of thepresent invention is illustrated. In processing block 1512, a local userof a computer system selects a tool from a tool palette as well known tothose of ordinary skill in the art. The local user may then move thecursor into either the public or private workspace (processing block1514). The cursor symbol is then replaced with a representation of theselected tool in processing block 1516. In addition, a shadowcorresponding to the selected tool is displayed with the cursor symbolat the current cursor position. If the cursor moves, processing path1520 is taken to processing block 1524 where the cursor representationand shadow at the old position is erased. Processing continues throughthe bubble labeled A at processing block 1516 where the cursor andcorresponding shadow are displayed at the new cursor position. Thisprocess continues as long as the cursor moves and the mouse button orsignal generation device is inactive. If the signal generation device ormouse button is activated (i.e. depressed), processing path 1530 istaken to processing block 1532 where the shadow is removed from thecursor representation. Processing continues at the bubble labeled Billustrated in FIG. 16.

Referring now to FIG. 16, the cursor feedback processing of the presentinvention continues at the bubble labeled B. Because the signalgeneration device has been activated and the cursor shadow has beenremoved, processing continues at decision block 1610. In this case, thecurrent location of the cursor is tested. If the cursor is located inthe public workspace, processing path 1614 is taken to processing block1616 where the tool activation and annotation messages and the cursormovement information is formatted into data messages which aretransferred across the communication medium to all other conferenceparticipants. As a result of this transfer of information, the remoteconference participants display the active tool cursor representationand the annotations for objects created by that tool on their localdisplay screens. As long as the cursor continues to move, processingpath 1620 is taken to processing block 1624 where the cursor at the oldlocation is erased and processing continues through the bubble labeled Cillustrated in FIG. 15 where the cursor without the shadow is displayedin the new cursor position. As long as the signal generation deviceremains active, processing path 1628 is taken and processing continuesthrough the bubble labeled B illustrated in FIG. 16. Once the signalgeneration device or mouse button is deactivated, processing path 1630is taken to decision block 1640. If the cursor is located in the publicworkspace when the mouse button is deactivated, tool deactivationinformation is sent to all other conference participants (processingblock 1646). Otherwise, no deactivation information is sent across thenetwork (processing path 1642). Processing then continues at the bubblelabeled A illustrated in FIG. 15. In this case, the cursor is displayedas represented by the selected tool, this time with a shadow at thecurrent cursor position. Tool activation and cursor movement messagesare no longer transferred to remote conference participants for a cursorlocated in the public workspace. These steps continue as the cursorcontrol device moves and the signal generation device is activated anddeactivated.

Thus, an improved method and apparatus for remotely displaying cursorand tool activation is disclosed. These specific arrangements andmethods herein are merely illustrative of the principles of thisinvention. Numerous modifications in form and detail may be made bythose of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Although this invention has been shown inrelation to a particular embodiment, it should not be considered solimited. Rather, the present invention is limited only by the scope ofthe appended claims.

We claim:
 1. In a computer system, an apparatus for indicating whether atool is active or inactive comprising:means for selecting said tool,said tool being a computer implemented function represented by an icon;means for displaying said icon as a cursor wherein said cursor iconincludes an associated shadow only while said tool is selected andinactive; means for activating said tool to perform said function; andmeans for re-displaying said cursor icon without an associated shadowonly while said tool is selected and active.
 2. The apparatus as claimedin claim 1 further including a means for displaying said cursor iconrepresenting said tool on a remote computer system without an associatedshadow only while said tool is selected and active on a local computersystem.
 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said computersystem includes a cursor control device and wherein said cursor icon isresponsive to said cursor control device.
 4. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 3 wherein said computer system includes a signal generationdevice, said means for selecting is responsive to said cursor controldevice and said signal generation device.
 5. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 3 wherein said computer system includes a signal generationdevice, said means for activating is responsive to said cursor controldevice and said signal generation device.
 6. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 3 wherein said computer system further includes a signalgeneration device, said cursor icon being associated with said shadowonly while said signal generation device is inactive.
 7. The apparatusas claimed in claim 3 wherein said computer system includes a signalgeneration device, said cursor icon being re-displayed without saidassociated shadow only while said signal generation device is active. 8.In a computer system, a process for indicating whether a tool is activeor inactive, said process comprising the steps of:selecting said tool,wherein said tool is a computer implemented function represented by anicon; displaying said icon as a cursor wherein said cursor icon includesan associated shadow only while said tool is selected and inactive;activating said tool to perform said function; and re-displaying saidcursor icon without an associated shadow only while said tool isselected and active.
 9. The process as claimed in claim 8 furtherincluding the step of displaying said cursor icon representing said toolon a remote computer system without an associated shadow only while saidtool is selected and active on a local computer system.
 10. The processas claimed in claim 8 wherein said computer system includes a cursorcontrol device and wherein said cursor icon is responsive to said cursorcontrol device.
 11. The process as claimed in claim 10 wherein saidcomputer system includes a signal generation device, said selecting stepbeing performed in response to said cursor control device and saidsignal generation device.
 12. The process as claimed in claim 10 whereinsaid computer system includes a signal generation device, saidactivating step being performed in response to said cursor controldevice and said signal generation device.
 13. In a computer conferencingsystem including a first computer system coupled to a second computersystem via a communication medium, said first computer system having afirst display, a first cursor control device, and a first signalgeneration device, said second computer system having a second display,a second cursor control device, and a second signal generation device,an apparatus for manipulating a remote cursor comprising:means forselecting a remote cursor tool using said first cursor control deviceand said first signal generation device, said remote cursor tool being acomputer implemented function represented by an icon; means fordisplaying said icon representing said remote cursor tool with anassociated shadow only on said first display and only while said tool isselected and inactive; means for activating said remote cursor toolusing said first cursor control device and said first signal generationdevice; and means for displaying said icon representing said remotecursor tool without an associated shadow on both said first display andsaid second display only while said tool is selected and active, saidicon being displayed on said second display in a position correspondingto a position of said icon on said first display.
 14. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 13 wherein said first display further includes a publicdisplay area and a private display area, said means for displaying saidicon representing said remote cursor tool without an associated shadowonly displays said icon on said second display if said icon ispositioned within said public display area of said first display.
 15. Ina computer conferencing system including a first computer system coupledto a second computer system via a communication medium, said firstcomputer system having a first display, a first cursor control device,and a first signal generation device, said second computer system havinga second display, a second cursor control device, and a second signalgeneration device, a process for manipulating a remote cursor comprisingthe steps of:selecting a remote cursor tool using said first cursorcontrol device and said first signal generation device, said remotecursor tool being a computer implemented function represented by anicon; displaying said icon representing said remote cursor tool with anassociated shadow only on said first display and only while said tool isselected and inactive; activating said remote cursor tool using saidfirst cursor control device and said first signal generation device; anddisplaying said icon representing said remote cursor tool without anassociated shadow on both said first display and said second displayonly while said tool is selected and active, said icon being displayedon said second display in a position corresponding to a position of saidicon on said first display.
 16. The process as claimed in claim 15wherein said first display further includes a public display area and aprivate display area, said step of displaying said icon representingsaid remote cursor tool without an associated shadow only beingperformed on said second display if said icon is positioned within saidpublic display area of said first display.